In the coming weeks you will undoubtedly hear some growing momentum with the launch of a new district-wide behavior and discipline program at Adrian Public Schools called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports or PBIS. Adrian Public Schools was one of two districts in Michigan to receive a competitive grant from the Michigan Department of Education to implement this behavior program. Over the last six months teachers, administrators, and staff have been training and working on how to best implement this model into APS, each individual building, and each classroom. I am thoroughly impressed with the professionalism of our teachers and staff as they craft the behavior expectations of Maple PRIDE for their classrooms, buildings, and throughout the district.

PRIDE is representative of five qualities we want our students to demonstrate on a daily basis. These qualities will be taught, reinforced, and recognized. They are:

Productivity
Respect
Integrity
Determination
Excellence

One may ask why PBIS and why now? PBIS has been in place at some buildings or with some teachers across the district. The important aspect of this January launch is the systematic district-wide program K-12 in all APS buildings and classrooms. Starting the second week in January, students will be taught the five qualities from their classroom teachers. Teachers and students will then dig deeper and teach and model what it means to show Respect or to be Productive in various settings.

As educators we focus on teaching students academics. We take students from where they are with their current skills and bring them up to where they need to be academically. This will also be the case behaviorally under the PBIS program. Those students who already demonstrate the qualities of PRIDE will be the leaders and role models in our classrooms. Teachers will be teaching behavioral expectations and students will not just be told to “behave” but will be taught PRIDE qualities.

This program does not change our Student Code of Conduct and still holds students accountable for their actions. The focus of this program is on teaching and learning and to best prepare our students so their actions create a positive learning environment. Starting in February, as a district, we will be recognizing one student from each building that exemplifies the Maple PRIDE qualities with an Outstanding Citizenship Award.

Below, you will find an overview of qualities of PBIS and how Maple PRIDE is demonstrated at various grade levels.

I look forward to sharing with you the recognitions of our outstanding citizens in the coming months. Go MAPLES!!!